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PM Nawaz meets Saudi crown prince

Mateen Haider Published January 15, 2015
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ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Thursday held a meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud who is also Deputy Premier and Minister of Defence at the Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh.

During the meeting, bilateral relations, situation in the Middle East and issues facing the Muslim world came under discussion.

The premier took the Saudi crown prince into confidence about measures being taken to tackle terrorism and militancy in Pakistan.

Trade and economic ties between the two countries also came under discussion in the meeting.

PM Nawaz was also reassured about the health of the custodian of two Holy mosques King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud and wished him good health. The Saudi King has been in poor health.

During the meeting, the two underscored the need of close bilateral relations between the two countries and ways of enhancing them in various fields and discussed the latest developments in regional and international arenas.

The meeting was also attended by Prince Muqrin bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Crown Prince, Second Deputy Premier, Advisor and Special Envoy of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, Prince Khalid bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, Chief of General Intelligence, Prince Miteb bin Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, Minister of National Guard Prince Turki bin Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Riyadh Region Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Minister of State, Cabinet's Member and Chief of the Crown Prince's Court and Special Advisor and Minister of State and Cabinet's Member Dr. Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban.

Pakistan’s delegation comprised Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi and Pakistan's Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Manzour Al-Haq.

Prime Minister Nawaz's visit to Saudi Arabia is the third high-level contact between the two countries in less than a year.

Pakistan

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JAved
Jan 15, 2015 11:44am
Whhyyyyy...?
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Asad
Jan 15, 2015 11:44am
That's not a news. News is when Nawaz Sharif visits Pakistan!
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Hasan Hasni
Jan 15, 2015 11:47am
Well done. Its important to keep relationship. Who knows about the future?
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saad
Jan 15, 2015 11:48am
He hasn't visited even a single family of the martyred APS children. One trip to Behrain another to Saudi Arabia.
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hyat
Jan 15, 2015 11:51am
May Allah bless him health and long life.
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Anonymous messi
Jan 15, 2015 11:52am
I just wish he could visit the APS school when it opened
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Azmeen
Jan 15, 2015 12:01pm
@Asad A sarcastic comment.
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Azmeen
Jan 15, 2015 12:03pm
Good! PM should further strengthen Pakistan's relations with the friendly countries like Saudi Arabia.
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Ayaz
Jan 15, 2015 12:09pm
complete waste of public money
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jj
Jan 15, 2015 12:11pm
@Asad Nice one.
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Well Wisher
Jan 15, 2015 12:11pm
Let us count when he is on visit to Pakistan? Behaves like he is on deputation to Pakistan PM assignment. Had no time or reason to visit Army Public School after the terrorist attack but since then has already made trips to Bahrain (do not know what for) and now to Saudi Arabia.
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jj
Jan 15, 2015 12:11pm
@saad And we still vote him in.
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Prince
Jan 15, 2015 12:13pm
Unbelievable. How many.foreign trips he took since he became.the Prime minister. Country is burning and for him.and Army.Chief decided to be out of the country at the same time is just crazy.
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Sab
Jan 15, 2015 12:17pm
MNS please find a good corner yourself and be prepared for a long rest!
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Sunil
Jan 15, 2015 12:19pm
Can he do something for those Pakistanis held on drug charges in the Kingdom?
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ala
Jan 15, 2015 12:25pm
Saudi is funding hardliners in Pakistan, better to careful. Pakistan should not become an appendage to Saudi Arabia
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ravirajsher
Jan 15, 2015 12:25pm
@Azmeen friendly country hangs a pakistani every week.
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Janu Not-German
Jan 15, 2015 12:28pm
A phone call would have sufficed?
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komberi
Jan 15, 2015 12:29pm
@saad why do you say "martyred". That word is cheap in pakistan. In reality, the kids were victims of a violent culture.
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Syed
Jan 15, 2015 12:31pm
We all deserve Zar and Shar.
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Lafanga
Jan 15, 2015 12:34pm
With General Raheel Shareef taking a lead in everything lately, NS is getting nervous so he wants to check with the Saudis what is on the cards in the near future. General on the other hand is visiting all the right places. Washington and now London. Looks like something is cooking.
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Anique Rizwan
Jan 15, 2015 12:41pm
@Asad like when IK goes to KPK?
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Anique Rizwan
Jan 15, 2015 12:41pm
Just like when IK goes to KPK !
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komberi
Jan 15, 2015 12:42pm
Nawaz, you are not an arab. They dont treat you like one either. If you have any doubt, ask any Pakistani immigrant living in Saudi Arabia. The best help is the self help and if you can not help yourself, ask your brother India. Although we have 1000 problems between us, our heart still ticks for Pakistan and if you think I am a fool, analyze yourself.
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kind-hearted
Jan 15, 2015 12:43pm
visit Nawaz visit
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Nouman
Jan 15, 2015 12:55pm
The public is aware now. The PM is on visit to acquire dictation.
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Tariq
Jan 15, 2015 01:00pm
Dear Digital Media Brigade: We shouldn't be out there only to criticize. I'm not sure if you know that keeping up relationship with brotherly Muslim countries is corner stone of our foreign policy. This visit is important and a step in the right direction. PM rushed immediately to Peshawar after APS incident and convened an APC to build consensus on terrorism related existing policy and legal issues. Later on parliament adopted them as amendments in the law and constitution. A great achievement indeed of the present government. We will root out terrorism Insha'Allah! Long live Pakistan!
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Haider
Jan 15, 2015 01:02pm
PM should instruct the SAUDIS to stop executing Pakistanis. Dozens of Pakistanis are executed in saudi since past 10 months. Pakistanis are not a criminal Nation.
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sami
Jan 15, 2015 01:04pm
Its a personal business trip on tax payers money.
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M. Asghar
Jan 15, 2015 01:10pm
This PM 's constant going around suggests that the country's present state does not have much importance for him.
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Hyder
Jan 15, 2015 01:11pm
Sir, Nawaz Sharif does not have time to visit the tragic school in Peshawar nor meet the parents then how come he is visiting the ailing King of Saudi Arabia???
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Rabia
Jan 15, 2015 01:11pm
thereby wasting more of the petrol that we are short of now. well done PM.
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Sahil
Jan 15, 2015 01:13pm
Don't comment against his visits, democracy will be under threat
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Sth zaidi
Jan 15, 2015 01:14pm
An email is sufficient instead of a whole entourage.
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Adnan Khan
Jan 15, 2015 01:15pm
By now we should have learned as to who are our friends and who are using our soil to wage their own wars and becoming catalyst for killing thousands of innocent Pakistani people in the name of religion. Moreover, there may be cordial relationship at political/royal leadership level between the two countries, however many Pakistanis are treated as third class residents in Saudi Arabia, living and working in a pathetic condition. Therefore why our Premier is visiting his ailing friend on expense of tax payer’s money?
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Baloch
Jan 15, 2015 01:21pm
@Well Wisher he went their for business deals for Rico dik reservoir in balochistan as saifurahman is there......
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Merchant
Jan 15, 2015 01:22pm
Yea visiting the funding body that causes chaos and destruction on Pakistan.
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ashok
Jan 15, 2015 01:25pm
With funding for all the hardline elements in Pakistan coming from Saudi Arabia, making Pakistan more rabid and fundamental you call them a friend. Cannot understand you guys.
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Ali
Jan 15, 2015 01:25pm
Tell them stop sponsoring the terrorism and Wahabism in Pakistan.
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Adnan Khan
Jan 15, 2015 01:39pm
@Tariq Brotherly Country.. go to any SA airport and you will find how your so called brother treat you. This so called brotherly country is source of killing thousands of our real brothers and sisters.
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Feroz
Jan 15, 2015 01:43pm
This is ridiculous, we live in the Telecommunication age where you can call, use Skype or send Email, not to forget WhatsApp. After being sidelined and made impotent by his Military, Nawaz may be going to garner some support for his reign. Good Luck, Nawaz -- hope you are not going to check whether hospitality will still be there if exiled.
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Syed Hussain Akbari
Jan 15, 2015 01:49pm
@saad Mr. Nawaz Sharif and also Mr. Imran Khan are the footstep followers of the Royal Families of Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. Thus, they give no importance to visiting the families of the martyrs. I do not know whether either of them believes that the murdered School Children of Peshawar were martyrs. Whether they realize that the Peshawar incidence is one of the most devastating part of the history of the country. No they do not.
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shoukat
Jan 15, 2015 01:53pm
Didn't go to APS but going Saudi Arabia. I guess he is prime minister of Saudi Arabia who came to visit Pakistan to suck every drop of petrol and now when we have to petrol going back to Saudi Arabia. A really sad affair.
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Rizwan
Jan 15, 2015 02:01pm
He leaves behind an ailing nation to visit an ailing king. Priorities!
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khasaf
Jan 15, 2015 02:02pm
hmmm! love that comment baroque
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Indian
Jan 15, 2015 02:07pm
Seriously? On taxpayers' money?!?! There's a simple thing such as a "phone call" to enquire about someone's health!!
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shakir
Jan 15, 2015 02:09pm
he didn't go there to peshawar school that is more near to Islamabad. oooh forgot, more billions expectation, IK is happy with his new family, In short all of our politicians are same bcoz we are all pakistani's. Have to face this these people again and again.
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junaid
Jan 15, 2015 02:09pm
Could not find time to visit the parents of peshawar attack but got plenty of time to go to Bahrain and now Saudia for begging. IK however bad he maybe atleast he went to the parents homes after 3-4 days of the incident and yesterday to the APS school as well. Pakistani people never understand.
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Tariq
Jan 15, 2015 02:11pm
What's Shahbaz doing in Saudi? (pictured behind Nawaz). Family visit is it?
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parveez
Jan 15, 2015 02:13pm
@Well Wisher he has gone there to check out his investment and send the profit to swiss bank. Saudi Arabia has done us a lot of harm but helped the Sharif brothers.
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Usman
Jan 15, 2015 02:15pm
Too many days he hadn't gone nowhere... that's why.
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Parvez
Jan 15, 2015 02:28pm
@jj No Sir,.......he voted himself in.
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Parvez
Jan 15, 2015 02:29pm
With Raheel be doing Nawaz's work.......Nawaz is free to look after his businesses.
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Harmony
Jan 15, 2015 02:36pm
Another Umrah holiday? It still doesn't wash off his corruption!!!
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Trust
Jan 15, 2015 02:40pm
@ala Which hardliners .....please elaborate
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syed wasim haider
Jan 15, 2015 02:45pm
@komberi Are you ready take back 2 million Pakistani workers back home?
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Umar
Jan 15, 2015 02:49pm
when our embassy or government gonna make any statement regarding beheading of Pakistanis in Saudi Arabia ?
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Mathew
Jan 15, 2015 02:58pm
Balance of power in the region in necessary.Yemen is an example in front of us.
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Imran
Jan 15, 2015 03:05pm
Such visits are integral part of Pakistan's foreign policy.
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Sultan Alvi (Canada)
Jan 15, 2015 03:24pm
We should be approaching some of our brotherly Muslim Countries, e.g., Saudi Arabia to help execute our terrorists. They have well honed and actively running facilities.
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Huzaifah
Jan 15, 2015 03:30pm
Party with friends at weekend. nothing more....
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Gaurav Arya
Jan 15, 2015 03:46pm
A PM of a country should visit only when invited. So what if the King is ill. Nawaz Sharif is the PM of Pakistan and he should always respect that fact. Relationships cannot be built by bending over backwards.
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Abaid
Jan 15, 2015 03:56pm
Somehow our PM is expert in doing wrong things at wrong time!!
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Umer Ali
Jan 15, 2015 04:16pm
Saudi might reproach him for taking the actions against Taliban. But there was no other way for our dignified and honestly elected PM. He is doing his best. The time since he has been elected, he is running here and there doing the strenuous exercise and feeling contented.
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Indian
Jan 15, 2015 04:16pm
@Gaurav Arya Really hard to read these things when Raheel has taken over the executive and judiciary decisions along with military. Could be an effort from Nawaz to gain some friends overseas, you know when things go south.
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mentor
Jan 15, 2015 04:24pm
He has gone to save his future life.
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Shafiq khan
Jan 15, 2015 04:29pm
Mr. Prime minister, personal gratitude is right, he gave you shelter when needed, but do not invite them to pollute the decent climate of Pakistan by his religious influence. PAKISTAN WAS A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE BEFORE YOU WERE BORN. Let Saudi Arabia influence stay in their country. Just say Thank you but No Thank you?
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MSK
Jan 15, 2015 04:39pm
Can someone tell me is it Shahbaz Shaif behind Nawaz Sharif in the Picture... What is he doing on this trip??
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Abbas Syed
Jan 15, 2015 04:43pm
Mr PM ask them do not finance the terrorists.
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AXH
Jan 15, 2015 04:43pm
So, it was not enough for him to just call him over the phone and inquire about his health and he felt the need to spend tax payers money to pay this visit?
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ziavrep labqi
Jan 15, 2015 04:55pm
@AXH Must have some urgent personal business matters to attend. His steel mill in Saudi Arabia may not have been doing well. That needs his personal attention, does it not? Forget about his visit to APS, Peshawar.
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minority
Jan 15, 2015 04:57pm
Brown noser.......... back to his keepers....they have him on a leash alright. He should be visiting the families of the terror victims whos children are murdered with Saudi money that hails bigotry and intolerance in the name of Islam. Shame on us Pakistanis for electing such leaders.
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Naeem
Jan 15, 2015 05:02pm
@JAved : because Mr. sharif is realizing that COAS Raheel has become and is becomming more and more powerful also in the eyes of pakistani public so Mr sharif is their to save his back so he can leave the county when army takes over!
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Imran Ahmed
Jan 15, 2015 05:02pm
The Kingdom executes Pakistanis, flogs its educated bloggers, restricts human rights for women even more. To top this, KSA is considered a major channel of funding to our right wing murdering fanatical gangs. I have heard of keeping your enemies close but this is ridiculous.
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Tariq, Lahore
Jan 15, 2015 05:15pm
There no fuel, gas or electricity back home. Shameful!
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Concerned
Jan 15, 2015 05:16pm
How about you tell his highness not to slaughter Pakistani in the name of drug trafficking
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Ikram
Jan 15, 2015 05:16pm
The Saudi's think that they are superior than everyone. Why should we care about them?
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GKBaloch
Jan 15, 2015 05:19pm
Last week he was in Behrin , just on the border of Saudi Arabia. Could n' t he convey our best wishes to Saudi king Abdullah?
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Shahid Khan
Jan 15, 2015 05:22pm
disgraceful acts!!!
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Fareed
Jan 15, 2015 05:27pm
Why even question MNS? Saudi Arabia is home away from home for Sharifs.
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Observer
Jan 15, 2015 05:39pm
This is personal minister PM of Pakistan; Always work for himself
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jay patel
Jan 15, 2015 05:45pm
But for why?
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Common man
Jan 15, 2015 06:32pm
Keep on developing trust and harmony among friends of Pakistan. We trust NS
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well wisher
Jan 15, 2015 06:54pm
Oil money is shrinking, so time to work on self reliance. Pakistan needs to redefine itself and reinvigorate itself to gain economic stability and world respect. In todays world, the strength comes from technology not from guns in the hands of renegades
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Raza
Jan 15, 2015 07:44pm
Very well said Mr. Asad and Mr. Prince. Shame on our corrupt rulers.
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Pakistani
Jan 15, 2015 07:53pm
The Prince and the pauper!
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Ehsan
Jan 15, 2015 08:35pm
Money wherever the source, Middle East or west, will have strings attached. Best solution, fix ourselves, pay tax honestly, and stop asking for money.
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dawn
Jan 15, 2015 08:39pm
@hyat - whom? The prince?
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ziavrep labqi
Jan 15, 2015 09:47pm
One good thing to come out of NS Saudi yatra may be the quick availability of oil on deferred payment.
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Ghani K
Jan 15, 2015 09:53pm
'The premier took the Saudi crown prince into confidence about measures being taken to tackle terrorism and militancy in Pakistan' - Is n't it our internal matter, what is the point in taking Saudis into confidence ? Is he there to assure Prince that funding to Madrissas by Saudis will not be hampered?
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bardhan
Jan 15, 2015 11:20pm
More Saudi fund needed and hence this attendance !!!
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ziavrep labqi
Jan 16, 2015 12:39am
@Gaurav Arya True, one visits when invited. But one also visits when summoned - for whatever purpose.
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Ghani K
Jan 16, 2015 01:38am
The news should read, Nawaz visits 2nd home.
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Shafiq khan
Jan 16, 2015 07:09pm
@Tariq Dear Sir, we have brotherly Islami country, Iran. How come he did not pay them a visit ? It is good to see that the Saudi family business is doing well. Our Prime minister managed to meet all the kaboodl . I wonder if anybody other than the royal family lives in the Saudi Arabia.
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